Prepare for the AFOQT Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Practice this question and more.


What is the primary component of gas giants' atmospheres?

  1. Oxygen

  2. Hydrogen

  3. Carbon Dioxide

  4. Argon

The correct answer is: Hydrogen

The primary component of gas giants' atmospheres is hydrogen. Gas giants, such as Jupiter and Saturn, are characterized by their thick atmospheres which are predominantly made up of hydrogen due to their massive size and gravitational pull. This element plays a vital role in the formation and structure of these planets, allowing for the retention of significant amounts of gas that would otherwise escape into space on smaller planets. In addition to hydrogen, gas giants also contain other gases, such as helium, but hydrogen remains the most abundant. In contrast, the other options like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and argon are present in much lesser amounts in the atmospheres of gas giants, making them less representative of their overall atmospheric composition.